Cannabis News Roundup: Week 2025-23: Minnesota Licenses Issued, Texas Expands Medical Program, North Carolina Forms Cannabis Council

7 June, 2025

 

TOP HEADLINES:

- Ohio’s lawmakers tinker with voter-approved legalization

- North Carolina launches a statewide advisory council for THC reform

- Minnesota’s business license lottery

- California’s decision to delay its cannabis tax hike

- Pennsylvania lawmakers weigh legalization during critical budget talks

- Texas could ban hemp-derived THC even as it expands medical access

- Record sales in Arkansas, etc.

 

 

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Tags:

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SUMMARIES:

ARKANSAS

Arkansas is seeing steady growth in medical marijuana use. From January through May 2025, dispensaries sold over 32,000 pounds of cannabis, generating $121 million—up 6% from last year. With daily sales now averaging $806,000 and patient numbers rising, the state is on pace to break its 2023 sales record.

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CALIFORNIA

 

California’s cannabis industry has won a major reprieve. Lawmakers in the Assembly voted 74-0 to delay a planned increase in marijuana excise taxes from 15% to 19%, originally set to take effect this July. If passed by the Senate, the new law would keep tax rates frozen until 2030.

#CaliforniaCannabis #AB564 #CannabisTaxRelief #LegalWeedCA #CannabisIndustry #CannabisPolicy #MattHaney #StopTheHike #TaxJustice #CannabisEconomy #CANNABIZ

MINNESOTA

Minnesota has taken a major step toward launching its recreational cannabis market. On June 5, the state awarded 249 business licenses through a lottery, prioritizing social equity applicants like veterans and those affected by past drug laws. While more steps remain before stores can open, the first dispensaries could arrive as soon as August.

#MinnesotaCannabis #MNMarijuanaLottery #CannabisEquity #RecreationalCannabisMN #MNDispensaries #CannabisLicensesMN #SocialEquityCannabis #OCMMinnesota #CannabisMarketLaunch #MNWeedNews #VeteransInCannabis #TribalCannabisMN

MASSACHUSETTS

Massachusetts lawmakers have passed a wide-ranging cannabis reform bill. The House voted unanimously to restructure the Cannabis Control Commission, increase retail license limits, remove business restrictions on medical marijuana, and regulate hemp products. The bill now awaits action in the Senate.

#MACannabisReform #H4187 #MassCannabisLaw #CCCReform #MedicalMarijuanaMA #HempRegulation #CannabisLicenseCaps #MassMarijuanaNews #CannabisPolicyMA #CBDTaxMA #CannabisOversight

NEVADA

 

Nevada has passed a new law allowing people with old marijuana possession convictions to become foster parents or work in foster homes. Governor Joe Lombardo signed Assembly Bill 107, which exempts non-sale possession offenses older than five years from disqualifying background checks.

 

#NevadaCannabis #AB107 #FosterCareReform #CannabisJustice #JoeLombardo #NevadaLegislation #CannabisPolicy #MarijuanaReform #CannabisEquity #FosterCareRights

 

NORTH CAROLINA

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has created a bipartisan cannabis advisory council to study marijuana legalization, youth protections, and public safety. The move comes amid growing concern over unregulated THC products and rising public support for reform. The council will submit recommendations starting in 2026.

#NCCannabisReform #JoshStein #CannabisLegalization #THCRegulation #NCMarijuana #CannabisCouncilNC #PublicHealthTHC #ExpungeMarijuanaRecords #LegalWeedNC #NCPolitics #BipartisanReform #MedicalMarijuanaNC #CannabisJustice

 

OHIO

1. Ohio has increased the daily cannabis flower purchase limit for adults from 1 ounce to 2.5 ounces. The change, effective June 5, comes after regulators determined the state’s cannabis market can sustain both medical and recreational demand. Medical patient limits remain the same, and dispensaries must maintain supply before raising their sales thresholds. Meanwhile, lawmakers are debating bills that could significantly reshape the voter-approved legalization law.
2. In Columbus, Ohio lawmakers are reworking Senate Bill 56, a controversial proposal to revise the state's cannabis legalization law passed by voters in 2023. After strong public opposition, legislators have removed some criminal penalties and say more changes are coming. Key concerns remain over public use restrictions, THC limits, and cuts to social equity funding. Meanwhile, adults in Ohio can now legally purchase up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana per day.

#OhioCannabis #SB56 #OhioLegislation #MarijuanaReform #CannabisEquity #LegalWeedOhio #Issue2 #CannabisNews #THCLaws #OhioPolitics #OhioCannabis #MarijuanaPolicy #CannabisReform #THCLimits #MedicalMarijuana #RecreationalWeed #OhioDispensaries #CannabisNews #LegalWeedOhio #DCCUpdate #CannabisLegislation #CannabisMarketOhio #CannabisPodcast

 

PENNSYLVANIA

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro says he’s hopeful lawmakers will legalize adult-use marijuana by the end of June. The House passed a bill, but Senate Republicans rejected it. Now, both sides are trying to reach a compromise before the state budget is finalized.

#PACannabis #LegalizeItPA #JoshShapiro #CannabisReform #PAHouseBill #CannabisJustice #MarijuanaLegalization #EndProhibitionPA #CannabisRevenue #PABudget2025

 

TEXAS

Texas lawmakers have passed House Bill 46, a major expansion of the state’s medical marijuana program. If signed by Governor Greg Abbott, the law will allow patients with chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries, and Crohn’s disease to access medical cannabis starting this September. It will also grow the number of dispensaries from three to fifteen, making it easier for patients to get their medicine.

#TexasCannabis #MedicalMarijuanaTX #HB46 #CannabisAccess #ChronicPainRelief #TBIawareness #CrohnsDisease #CannabisLegislation #TCUP #CannabisReformTexas

FEDERAL

A new federal budget bill proposed by House Republicans would ban most hemp-derived THC products—including Delta-8 and THCA flower—by redefining hemp and tightening legal limits. Advocates warn this could destroy much of the hemp industry, affecting businesses and consumers nationwide.

#HempBan #Delta8 #CannabisPolicy #CBDRegulation #THCABan #FarmBill2026 #AndyHarris #HempIndustry #MarijuanaNews #Cannabinoids #FederalCannabisPolicy #GOPCannabisBill #USHempRoundtable #HempFarmers #CannabisRegulation

INTERNATIONAL

Ukraine has approved its first legal import of medical cannabis. The permit, issued on June 2, allows registered cannabis-based medicines to be brought into the country, marking a major step forward in Ukraine’s effort to treat patients suffering from war-related trauma, chronic pain, and neurological conditions.

#UkraineCannabis #MedicalCannabisUkraine #CannabisImports #ZelenskyCannabis #UkraineHealth #CannabisForPTSD #CuraleafUkraine #CannabisReform #EasternEuropeCannabis #MedicalMarijuana